THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 376, 9 June 1928, Page 28

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE FLOWER GARDEN

The ideal gardener must ever be looking toward the future in scheming and planning work that in its season shall bring its own reward. To this end he should be contemplating the planting of roses, shrubs, tidy hedges and all those subjects that make this world worth living in. Commence now in the rose bed weeding out the weak and sickly growers and replace with strong healthy varieties. 9 The average small garden has no room to support weaklings. Select only varieties that do well in your soil. Seek the advice of your nurseryman who will tender a list of hardy varieties. Cut back all dead wood and prune the necessary growths. Ornamental shrubs are now available and ground should be prepared at once. Retinospora. makes a fine close shrub on a lawn. Fan and phoenix palms are hardy and graceful, lending charm to any home. Flow'ering shrubs that bloom in the winter are bouvardias. These dainty, dwarf-growing shrubs can be obtained in all colours. Luculia, the pink flowering tree, gives masses of bloom for a long period. Hedges should be set any time from Juhe till August. Tecoma, escallonia, olearia and pittosporum are four varieties that thrive in the Auckland district. Sow seeds of all the spring flowering plants such as cineraria, nemesia, sweet peas, carnations, gaillardias, delphiniums and all hardy growing varieties. How that the wet weather is here wise gardeners will sow in seed boxes or frames. Plant out the following seedlings:—Stock, poppy, violas, antirrhinum, statice, primula, cornflower and larkspur. See that the soil is well drained and the ground well worked. Dust plants with lime, kilslug or tobacco dust to keep them from the ravages of the slugs. Plant gladioli blubs mixing sand with the soil. All varieties of lilies must be set this month before the bulbs begin to shrivel divide old clumps of michaelmas daisies and golden rod, etc., replanting new crowns for fresh flowering.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Gardening has become a great force in the lives of many and every year one can see how the influence continues to spread. In these people’s thoughts spasmodic gardening has no place; they believe in thoroughness and if plants are worth growing they are worth growing well. If all readers would remember this and not try to attempt too much, better results would be the outcome. At last we are in the grip of winter. There is little warmth in the soil and growth is naturally retarded and slow. It is essential that all winter vegetables should be given the warmest and most sheltered spot in the garden. Select well drained, sunny places away from the shade of buildings and fences. Cabbage and cauliflowers do not mind the cold weather and where available should be planted. Those already established should constantly be hoed around and occasional applications of liquid manure given. Nitrate of soda is best, loz per gallon of water or, if wet weather, ioz per square yard. Seed sowing may still be continued but wherever possible run the rows facing north and south, thus allowing the maximum of sun warmth on the soil. Sow now onions, beet, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, broad beans, lettuce and silver beet. Plant out strawberry runners 12 inches apart and 18 inches between the rows. Asparagus roots are now obtainable and if gardeners have followed previous instructions the beds will now be ready. Rhubarb roots, summer and winter, may be set in wellmanured soil. Fruit trees are ready for shifting and gardeners should make haste to procure their wants before the best trees are sold. Commence pruning, established trees, cutting away all in-growing growths and dead wood. Care must be taken to cut to the outside bud, otherwise your work will be wasted. Continue planting garlic, shallots and potato onions. These are a great standby in the garden and are becoming more popular every year. Potash is their main food and should be worked into the soil before setting.